Moose Jaw region sending 19 athletes to Saskatoon this weekend

Students from Peacock, Vanier and Assiniboia are headed to wrestling provincials this weekend in Saskatoon. This is the highest number of athletes that the Moose Jaw region has sent to provincials. Submitted photo

“That is a great accomplishment,” said Ward Strueby, a coach with the team.

The Peacock boys team finished second to Prince Albert St. Mary last weekend in Weyburn.

“It was another great showing from the boys,” said Strueby.

Peacock, along with Vanier and Assiniboia will be sending the highest number of athletes to provincials after such a great tournament.

“Peacock is sending 16 and sending two from Vanier and a student from Assiniboia,” he said. “It is a huge contingent going to provincials. The numbers just continue to climb.”

Those athletes that finished in the top four in the various categories at regionals along with the top four finishes from Regina, Saskatoon and the other regions will head to Saskatoon this weekend to compete at provincials.

“I think we have a really good shot based upon the categories for provincials. Our girls are a 3A school, so I think they are a good shot at winning the provincial title for girls,” said Strueby. “We are in 4A boys, which is a higher category against the other bigger schools. So, a top three or four finish is not out of the picture for them. Being a team that is predominately made up of Grade 9s and 10s, I think the future looks really bright for the program.”

Individuals can win medals, but there is also a team aspect to it as well. Those that finish first get 10 points, seven points for second, five points for third and so forth.

“As a team, they want to do well as they don’t want to let their teammates down, but as individuals they want to do their personal bests,” he said.

All the local wrestlers have been so successful this year in particular because of the collaboration between the schools and the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Wrestling Club.

“Wrestling at the high school level gives them an opportunity, but they get so many more matches by being with the club,” said Strueby. “Once provincials are done with the high schools, they still have a chance to compete provincially, nationally and internationally with the club. So, it just opens some more doors.”

One of those doors that opened this year as well was the partnership between the wrestlers and the University of Regina.

“We have a lot of athletes that will train with the U of R,” he said. “Leo McGee has seen how well our program is growing.”

Vicki Busch will be competing in her fourth and final high school provincials. She won gold in Grade 9 and 10 as well as brought home bronze in Grade 11.

“I think she has a really good shot,” said Strueby.

Spencer Nancarrow won gold at regionals and will look for more this weekend.

“This is only his second year wrestling,” he said. “He should have a good chance at provincials.”

Adam Wilders is the other athlete moving on, but did not make provincials this year.

Female 44kg

1st place — Haley Scheck (Notre Dame)

2nd place — Kasey Power (Vanier)

3rd place — Alyssa Derdall (Outlook High School)

4th place — Caitlyn Villeneuve (Meadow Lake Carpenter)

Female 47 kg

1st place — Danica Pedrick (Notre Dame)

2nd place — Hannah Scheck (Notre Dame)

3rd place — Tiandra Wolverine (St. Mary High School)

4th place — Rayna Hetherington (Peacock)

Female 53 kg

1st place — Vicki Busch (Peacock)

2nd place — Bede Marchand (Swift Current Comprehensive High School)

3rd place — Hailey Witzaney (Meadow Lake Carpenter)

4th place — Shelby Lounsbury (Weyburn Comprehensive School)

Female 56 kg

1st place — Tianna Kennett (Manor School)

2nd place — Rebecca Barnett (Peacock)

3rd place — Charity Gareau (St. Mary High School)

4th place — Taryn Montgomery (Peacock)

Female 60 kg

1st place — Cortni Dixon (Peacock)

2nd place — Jordan Wellsch (Swift Current Comprehensive High School)

3rd place — Michaela Peterson (Swift Current Comprehensive High School)

4th place — Marlie Bundschuh (Meadow Lake Carpenter)

Female 64 kg

1st place — Ashley Chouinard (Delisle Composite School)

2nd place — Taylor Hoffman (Wilkie McLurg High School)

3rd place — Shawnie Johnson (Wilkie McLurg High School)

4th place — JoLynn Robart (Peacock)

Female 68 kg

1st place — Eden McPherson (Carlton Comprehensive High School)

2nd place — Makailah Marassse (Peacock)

Female 90 kg

1st place — Raven Morissette (St. Mary High School)

2nd place — Sydney McIntyre (St. Mary High School)

3rd place — Jessica Szeles (Kelvington High School)

4th place — Tayler Wapemoose (Peacock)

Female 105 kg

1st place — Moira Morhart (Peacock)

Male 50 kg

1st place — Kurtis Busch (Peacock)

2nd place — Tyler Griffith (Outlook High School)

Male 53 kg

1st place — Devin Kiryk (Peacock)

2nd place — Chris Roney (Peacock)

Male 62 kg

1st place — Terry Busch (Peacock)

2nd place — Wyatt Pongracz (Wilkie McLurg High School)

3rd place — Braydon Roberts (Weyburn Comprehensive School)

4th place — Justin Lucyshyn (St. Mary High School)

Male 73 kg

1st place — Rhett Grose (Swift Current Comprehensive High School)

2nd place — Adam Helland (Vanier)

3rd place — Anthony Hallborg (Warman)

4th place — Perry Erhardt (Esterhazy High School)

Male 82 kg

1st place — Spencer Nancarrow (Peacock)

2nd place — Mankomal Gill (Warman)

3rd place — Seth Schmaltz (Swift Current Comprehensive High School)

4th place — Ben Helland (Peacock)

Male 110 kg

1st place — Tristen Moreau (St. Mary High School)

2nd place — Kalin Langford (St. Mary High School)

3rd place — Taylor Wandler (Assiniboia Composite High School)

4th place — Clark Hoffman (Yorkton Regional High School)

Students from Peacock, Vanier and Assiniboia are headed to wrestling provincials this weekend in Saskatoon. This is the highest number of athletes that the Moose Jaw region has sent to provincials. Submitted photo